TRAINING CONCEPT FOR SOFTWARE - ORIENTED PRODUCTS
Reiner Schwebel, Carl Zeiss, Germany
ABSTRACT
For full utilization of their capabilities, photogrammetric-cartographic systems and geographic information systems require comprehensive knowledge and support.
Software systems from Carl Zeiss therefore include learning functions and information for direct support in both training and production. By means
of courses and individual training, Carl Zeiss systems and applications specialists convey practice-oriented knowledge of the system to operators,
system managers and programmers. Follow-up training and support in conjunction with the software update service permit ongoing extension of
knowledge and skills. Equal emphasis is placed by Carl Zeiss on development, production and services.
KEY WORDS
Education, Photogrammetry, Training
System-integrated learning functions, training courses by experts
and systematic follow-up training and support are available for each
individual level.
1. INTRODUCTION
Geographic information systems and photogrammetric-cartographic
systems have become essential tools in modern regional planning
and environmental protection. The effective use of these systems is
primarily determined by the following factors:
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the
the
the
the
2.1 learning functions of the system
State-of-the-art software systems include a great variety of learning
and help functions for the user, which considerably facilitate operator
handling of the system, in particular. Carl Zeiss systems such as the
performance of the hardware, including the computer,
efficiency of the software,
user's know-how and
service and support provided by the manufacturer.
PHOCUS system for photogrammetry, cartography
and land information and
PHODIS photogrammetric image processing system
Cost analyses have shown that the costs in the GIS field, based on a
10-year service life, are allocated as follows:
offer the following system-integrated learning functions:
10 % on investment in the system hardware and software
10 % on services (training, maintenance, support, update) and
80 % on staff costs for system operation.
• Help functions (on-line), detailed instructions for the performance and continuation of the task on hand, which can be called
up on the monitor at any time and include cross references to the
tutorials;
• Tutorials (on-line) with an introduction to the major processes of
a task, including cross references to the manuals;
• Manuals ("off-line") with a detailed description of the overall
system, its operation and programming, either in printed form or
stored in the computer and accessible via the software.
The user interface, training and support have a decisive influence on
the staff costs and operational efficiency. Reputable systems manufacturers such as Carl Zeiss therefore consider it a task of prime
importance to supply the customer not only with high-performance
products, but also with expert services. The spectrum of services
offered by Carl Zeiss comprises:
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2.2 User interface
Applications and systems analysis and support
System installation and integration
Applications training
Hardware service
Software update service and
Programming support
In addition to these direct aids, the user interface and intelligent
system functions play an important role in the training concept. An
optimized user interface reduces the training necessary at the
operator level, but increases the requirements at the system level.
However, since more operators than systems engineers usually work
with the system, the optimization of the user interface is also justified
from the viewpoint of cost-effectiveness. In the Carl Zeiss systems,
for example, this involves the following tools:
Our motto for support and training is
Helping the user to help himself
• Menu guidance based on WINDOWS (P-CAP PC software) for
operators with no photogrammetric background knowledge or
based on OSF-Motif for PHODIS
• Screen and paper menues prepared for the performance of
bulk operations (PHOCUS, PHODIS)
• Dialog processing and command input for the advanced
system user (PHOCUS, PHODIS),
• Process programming for the predefined control of measurement and evaluation procedures (PHOCUS transfer files),
• Program interfaces with subroutines and documentation for
user programming of special tasks.
Only well-trained, proficient and motivated personnel will be able to
fully utilize the potential of advanced systems. The training provided
by Carl Zeiss is concentrated on a few vital areas which are outlined
in the following.
2. TRAINING CONCEPT
A training concept must be tailored to both the intended application
of the system and to the user. It must incorporate the learning
functions and user interface of the system, while taking into account
the different degrees of difficulty of the tasks involved and the
personnel's technical knowledge. The training concept is based on
the following levels:
Improvements in process technology and the implementation of
expert knowledge in the software may result in a marked reduction in
training requirements, as the example of automatic error elimination
in block adjustment clearly illustrates.
• the operator level for the use of the system functions in a
prepared work environment;
• the system level for work preparation and EDP management
• the program level for the adaptation of the system software to
special tasks;
• the specialized level for the analysis and utilization of collected
data.
Similarly, only minimum familiarity with the operating system is
required at the operator level due to the superimposition of easily
comprehensible application functions on the operating system. As a
result, special training on the operating system as offered by the
computer manufacturers is not necessary for the operator.
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2.3 Training concept for Zeiss products
2.5 Training for partner software
The learning functions integrated into the system support the
everyday work and production process on the system. In the initial
stage, however, it is absolutely essential that the relevant knowledge
be conveyed to the user by systems experts. Such training held in
the form of a dialog, including practical exercises and supported by
suitable documentation, is and will remain the most effective and
economic way of ensuring a smooth production start-up. Considering
the predominance of operation costs in the overall system expenditure, any attempt to economize in the necessary training must
be regarded as short-sighted.
Photogrammetry and cartography are increasingly being incorporated into LIS and GIS systems. A high degree of flexibility in
production is demanded of the service companies in the field of
mapping. To meet both of these requirements, software packages
from different manufacturers must be used and mastered side by
side. Examples of close connections between Zeiss and partner
soft wares are:
• the combination of a data base for geometric data with a data
base system for attributes, e.g. PHOCUS and the relational data
base ORACLE or
• the integration of an analytical plotter into a CAD or GIS system,
e.g. P3 Planicomp into MicroStation PC.
The training content is based on the four above-mentioned levels.
The following types of training are provided:
• standard courses at Carl Zeiss providing basic know/edge
on system operation, system management and programming,
• individual training at Carl Zeiss in fields of special interest,
• on-site training, taking into account the user's special work
environment.
Moreover, the operation of complex computer networks calls for
detailed knowledge of the operating system and networking software.
In such cases, especially if the partner software is intensively used,
we recommend that users make direct use of the proficiency, training
facilities and support capabilities of the partners involved.
2.6 Further training and support
2.4 Implementation of the training concept
Due to the dramatic development in the field of EDP and software,
continuous updating of knowledge and skills is of vital importance.
For new software modules and new revisions, Zeiss offers further
training and individual support by applications and systems
specialists. The following is available:
The implementation of the training concept is dependent on the
software product involved. For PHOCUS, for example, the central
information system for photogrammetry, cartography and land information from Carl Zeiss, the training program is structured as
follows:
• Telephone backup as part of the software update service
Personal on-site support in application and system problems
to extend the user's knowledge and optimize operational
sequences
• Update courses on new revisions
• User meetings for the exchange of information and experience
II Programming support for the development of programs by the
user
• Basic course:
Subject:
learning the work sequences in a standard
work environment, basic system management functions.
Duration:
5 days (standard)
Requirement: basic knowledge of photogrammetry/cartographyand EDP.
II
• Follow-up course:
Subject:
creation of new work environments,
optimum use of system management tools
Duration:
4 days (standard)
Requirement: PHOCUS knowledge of the basic course,
basic knowledge of the operating system
The objective of each of these measures is the independent and
proficient handling of the system by the user. In addition, adequate
further training is of vital importance for staff motivation.
3. OUTLOOK
As pointed out at the beginning, the training concept of Carl Zeiss
concentrates on the efficient conveyance of practice-oriented
knowledge of the system.
Training in theoretical fundamentals such as basic knowledge of data
processing and GIS techniques or metrological skills is not the duty
of a system manufacturer. It is and will remain the domain and
responsibility of institutions established for this purpose: universities,
colleges, schools for operators, further training organizations and
courses, etc. These institutions create the basis on which specialist
knowledge of the systems can be nurtured. The success of this joint
task of teaching institutions and industry will lay a sound foundation
for the bright professional future of photogrammetrists and surveying
experts.
• Programming course:
Subject:
generation of user-specific program modules in
the PHOCUS environment and communication
with external systems via PHOCUS interfaces
Duration:
5 days (standard)
Requirement: PHOCUS knowledge of the follow-up course,
basic knowledge of the operating system,
experience in programming (Fortran)
It is recommended that these courses be spread over a certain
period of time, and that extensive courses be completed in two
separate sections. Several months of experience with PHOCUS will
be useful for the programming course.
The training concept for PHODIS has a similar structure as that for
PHOCUS.
In the field of PC software, the training offered by Zeiss is concentrated on the photogrammetric use of the systems
• Course for operators (Planicomp/PC):
Subject:
learning the photogrammetric work sequences,
data acquisition functions in a CAD/GIS system
Duration:
4 days
Requirement: basic knowledge of photogrammetry and CAD/
GIS
• Special training
The training in special applications such as aerotriangulation,
OEM computation, orthoprojection or photoflight management is
usually held on an individual basis in Oberkochen or on site on
the customer's premises. Since the level of previous knowledge
varies widely from one user to another, careful preparation and
course planning are essential here.
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